Big Rapids in Mecosta County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Nisbett Block

By Joel Seewald, August 5, 2017

1. Nisbett Block Marker

Inscription.

Nisbett Block. . Daniel F. Comstock (1831-1903), a lumberman and president of Mecosta County Savings Bank, began erecting this building in 1885 to house stores, a hotel, and the bank. When the bank failed in 1896, Comstock lost all of his assets, including the unfinished structure. In 1900 retired newspaper publisher William Nisbett (1846-1923) bought the block. He completed the massive, decorative exterior — with its rough-cut granite, elaborate parapets, and heavy Romanesque columns — in 1906.

Daniel F. Comstock (1831-1903), a lumberman and president of Mecosta County Savings Bank, began erecting this building in 1885 to house stores, a hotel, and the bank. When the bank failed in 1896, Comstock lost all of his assets, including the unfinished structure. In 1900 retired newspaper publisher William Nisbett (1846-1923) bought the block. He completed the massive, decorative exterior — with its rough-cut granite, elaborate parapets, and heavy Romanesque columns — in 1906.

Location. 43° 41.894′ N, 85° 28.899′ W. Marker is in Big Rapids, Michigan, in Mecosta County. Marker is at the intersection of Maple Street (State Highway 20) and South Michigan Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Maple Street. Touch for map. The marker is partially obscured by a bus shelter. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 South Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids MI 49307, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Downtown (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairman Building

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2017. This page originally submitted on August 9, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 3. submitted on August 11, 2017.

We are suspending Amazon.com advertising until they remove an ad for a certain book from circulation. A word in the book’s title has given rise to number of complaints. The word is inappropriate in school classroom settings.